William Rainey
William Rainey, 81, of Clancy, died Nov. 11, 2022, of COVID-19.
Bill was born Sept. 21, 1941, in Paterson, New Jersey. He was the third of five sons born to Harold and Marion Rainey.
He, his brothers, and their friends from the neighborhood had a mischievous mid-century childhood filled with adventures that wouldn’t be considered safe or possibly even legal today. They fired homemade rockets and ran half-wild through Garret Mountain Reserve, a nearby park around Lambert Castle. The family hunted and fished together, making summer visits to a family cabin at Lake Hopatcong.
At Clifton High School, he ran track and cross country, graduating in 1959. He headed west to study at Montana State University for three years before returning to New Jersey.
In February 1964, he joined the Army. He served as an artillery forward observer on the border between West and East Germany and collected a lifetime of stories about his duties and his off-duty exploration of Europe by train, bike and skis.
After returning to the U.S. in December 1965, he headed back to Montana, landing work in Yellowstone National Park as a delivery driver for Hamilton Stores and spending the winter of 1966 as a winterkeeper removing snow from buildings around Old Faithful. While working in the park, Bill met Mary Anne Crouse, who became the love of his life.
The couple married Sept. 17, 1967, at Holbrook Congregational Church in Livingston, Montana, where she had grown up. They moved to Bozeman so Bill could continue his education at MSU, before moving on to Western Montana College in Dillon, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in secondary education in December 1969. Mary Anne sometimes called him a permanent student as he earned an elementary education certification and completed course work for an unfinished master’s degree.
His teaching career took them to Harrison, Three Forks and Geraldine. They both particularly enjoyed a job in Heart Butte on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation, where Bill was dedicated to supporting students in academics, sports, travel and pow wow drumming. In 1978, a teaching job brought the Rainey family, which had grown to include two daughters, Anita and Susan, to Clancy. Putting down roots and building a stable family life became a priority.
Bill’s work ventured beyond teaching to processing fuel tax refunds, surveying for the Forest Service, working at a fire retardant station, his own janitorial business, and finally back into the schools as a custodian at Clancy School for 16 years before retiring in 2005.
In retirement, Bill was part of a writers’ group that encouraged him to capture the stories he loved to tell. He also was dedicated to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, where he had exercised for nearly 20 years after open heart surgery. He loved to travel.
He never stopped being an educator, though, offering his knowledge and love of learning as a 4-H leader, volunteer math tutor, Science Olympiad coach, and volunteer at Montana Wild. He especially loved sharing photos and information about birds.
He proudly claimed the title “professional birder” for leading bird-watching hikes through Birds & Beasleys, carefully planning outings, coordinating with other guides and welcoming birders new and experienced. He took participants to the best places to show them interesting visiting and resident birds.
A citizen scientist, he kept careful records of each species he spotted, then entered the data in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird project. The staff at the Clancy Library provided technical support and encouragement.
He enjoyed Last Chance Audubon programs and outings, including the Christmas Bird Count. About a decade ago, he audited an ornithology course at Carroll College – a gift from his wife – and connected with a flock of like-minded nature lovers who went out in search of birds each week, calling themselves the Tuesday Morning Birders. He loved to find a rare bird, but in this hobby, he also found a rare group of excellent friends.
Bill is survived by daughter Anita and son-in-law Scott Burke, of Medford, Ore., and daughter Susan Rainey of Lafayette, Colo., as well as brother and sister-in-law Noel and Edna Rainey in New Jersey, brother Harold Rainey in Minnesota, as well as 4 nieces and 3 nephews and their children. Of them he was especially close to Kelly and Tim Schiereck and their daughters Meghan and Erin; Kristen Rainey; Lisa and Adam Brownell and their children Ellie and Jonas.
He was predeceased by his wife Mary Anne and his brothers Thomas and Robert.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Clancy United Methodist Church, with a luncheon to follow. The service will livestream on the church’s Facebook page.
Memorial contributions can be made in Bill’s honor to any of the organizations he loved mentioned above or one of your choosing.
Fran says
Bill and Mary Ann were terrific Visitor Center volunteers together. I was the next shift volunteer after them. They were a sweet pair together. Bill missed Mary Ann so much after she died.
He was a terrific bird adventure leader!
Knowing how much you miss the two of them and sending
love your way…
Mary Ball says
Bill was the best storyteller. I enjoyed hearing about his family and his younger days growing up – such a character. He was so knowledgeable about so many things. He and Mary Ann were the cutest couple and the best people. I worked with Mary Ann at Shopko pharmacy
Shirley says
Bill and Mary Anne came to our house with baby clothes when I first became a foster parent for infants. They were wonderful people as were Mary Anne’s parents, Chester, and Mary Crouse.
Terri Kunz says
A lover of life and the gifts it gave. God Blessed this husband and wife. They gave our church laughter, love and stories.
Bill will be missed.
Lk Badger says
Bill was a great friend for many years! He was a stable at our school in Clancy! I remember him going on a field trip with us to Rimini and being astounded at his knowledge of all the wild flowers! He knew them all! He was one of the most brilliant men I’ve known! Our families shared many life events together! We feel very blessed in knowing him. Enjoy your reunion with Mary Ann, Bill!
John says
Bill and I enjoyed many “birding” outings over several years. He became a good friend and I enjoyed his company and many stories he offered of his interesting life experiences. Bill was a good man willing to share his wisdom with everyone in a friendly and meaningful way.
I will miss his company.
Joyce Bateman says
Bill was so kind and welcoming to me and encouraged me to get involved in the local birding community. I bumped into him at Helena Regulating Reservoir and well, let’s say, I was there a bit longer than I anticipated. His open and kind nature made my day with that first encounter. Thereafter I saw him at many birder gatherings. He lived life to the max. I will miss his presence. Blessings!
Joyce Bateman says
Bill was so kind and welcoming to me and encouraged me to get involved in the local birding community. I bumped into him at Helena Regulating Reservoir and well, let’s just say, I was there a bit longer than I anticipated. His open and kind nature made my day with that first encounter. Thereafter I saw him at many birder gatherings. He lived life to the max. I will miss his presence. Blessings!
Vanessa says
Bill will certainly be missed in this community , he always had a big smile & story! Bill & Mary Anne were great 4-H leaders for many years, an inspiration that I followed…
Anita & Susan cherish all the great memories forever!
United with sweet Mary Anne May u both RIP
Vanessa
Lawrence Urban says
So sorry to hear about Bill’s passing! Always looked forward to the Last Chance Audubon Christmas Bird Count with him each year. He will sorely be missed during this year’s count, but my memories of spending time with him during those long days of birding will not be forgotten. I guess he missed his Mary Anne too much! May the perpetual light shine upon their souls and my deepest sympathies to all the loved ones they left behind!
Nancy McKinsey says
Anita and Susan, I am so sorry for the loss of your amazing father, Bill. I worked at the Clancy library and he was a mainstay for us librarians. He was a special man and he will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both during this difficult time. Nancy
Matt says
My condolences to both of you, Anita and Susan.
jessie E lesofski says
“Mr BlueShoes” was always someone I looked up to when i was a child. He and MaryAnne always had time to engage with us kid and I never failed to learn from our visits. I can only offer my heartfelt condolences.
Beverly Reich says
Bill first came into our lives 25 years ago when he and Maryann (and grandma Crouse and Susan) came to Brookings, Ore. for the wedding of their daughter Anita and my son Scott. We have had many lovely visits here all together and fun times. We always had a marionberry pie for him as he loved it. One visit when they stayed over with us we had stayed up late talking after dinner( as we liked to do) and forgot to have pie for desert so we just had it for breakfast the next morning. I always loved hearing his funny stories and about his “birding”.He was really special to know. I am blessed we did and will miss him in our lives. The warm memories will always remain.
Susan says
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. We were in the same writing group. I enjoyed his stories and especially remember the ones of his winter in Yellowstone. Bill always had a smile and enjoyed life even with dealing with medical problems. He was always planning another trip. I was ill the day of his funeral so didn;t dare attend. There will always be fond memories of him in my heart. I send my sincere sympathy to his family.